The 5 Best Movies Featuring Rats & Other Rodents

Rats have a significant presence in cinema, surprising many. Several great films focus on rats and mice. Although often seen as symbols of disease, most films feature these rodents in a positive light, especially in family-friendly movies. Only a few portray them as dirty or evil.

Mice frequently become heroes in adventure films, such as Cinderella's sewing mice and Stuart Little's antics. However, rodent protagonists also appear in horror, dramas, and superhero genres. This diversity means there's a rat-themed movie for everyone.

5. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Wes Anderson adapted Roald Dahl’s cherished tale, Fantastic Mr. Fox, into a stop-motion animated movie in 2009. This engaging story follows a clever fox who devises plans to improve his family's life. Alongside witty humor, the film presents a unique challenge—a rat called Rat serves as a security guard.

Unlike a traditional antagonist, Rat is a self-appointed figure, wreaking havoc while sipping cider from Franklin Bean's cellar. His presence adds depth to a story generally filled with light-heartedness. The film received acclaim, including a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

4. Steamboat Willie (1928)

Steamboat Willie is a pivotal short film for the Walt Disney Company. As one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound, it introduced audiences to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. While it's primarily slapstick, it established Disney's trademark animation.

Mickey Mouse remains the symbol of Disney to this day. Despite his recent absence in feature films, his legacy continues through merchandise and branding, outlasting many characters. His most renowned performance before 1940 was in Fantasia, a favorite among animated films.

3. Encanto (2021)

In Encanto, the rats inhabiting Casa Madrigal reflect the film's magical essence. While they aren't part of the Madrigal family, their presence is crucial to the story’s themes. Although Antonio can communicate with animals, it is Bruno, the misunderstood relative, who forms a bond with these rodents.

These rats provide Bruno companionship, meeting his emotional needs. Both seem like bad omens facing judgment. Their eventual acceptance by the family symbolizes a broader positive transformation within the story.

2. The Green Mile (1999)

The Green Mile offers a different tone while representing rats and mice effectively. This adaptation of Stephen King's novel focuses on Death Row in the 1930s and the arrival of John Coffey, a giant gentle prisoner played by Michael Clarke Duncan.

A mouse named Mr. Jingles plays an essential role, entertaining guards and inmates alike. After a guard kills Jingles, Coffey's healing powers revive the mouse, revealing his extraordinary abilities. In the bittersweet conclusion, Mr. Jingles lives on, symbolizing magic and heart in this cinematic adaptation.

1. Ratatouille (2007)

Ratatouille is arguably the pinnacle of films about rats. Remy, a rat, elevates the image of rodents in a culinary setting unlike any previous portrayal. The film explores the intricate world of French cuisine, highlighting the biases and barriers present within the industry.

Remy embodies the lovingly crafted rustic style contrasting high-end gastronomy. As a rat, his presence in a kitchen is both comedic and ironic. Praised for its culinary authenticity and humor, Ratatouille won the Best Animated Feature Oscar, cementing its status as a classic.

Earlier, SSP told about all Harry Potter movies: ranked from worst to best.